PreFace: Screen Time Control
Ruben Zhou Yang Productivity iPhoneiPadiPod touch
PreFace: Screen Time Control is a free Productivity app for iPhone and iPad by Ruben Zhou Yang. Requires iOS 15.1. Updated April 3, 2026.
- Price
- Free
- on the App Store
- Size
- 44 MB
- Age 4+
- Updated
- Apr 3
- 2026 · v1.0
Screenshots
About PreFace: Screen Time Control
Stop the scroll. Start your story. Most app blockers just shut you out. "Preface: Screen Time Control" invites you back to your focus. By turning a simple iOS Automation into a powerful mindfulness tool, Preface intercepts your digital distractions and replaces them with a curated moment of wisdom. The "Preface" Experience: Instead of a cold "Blocked" notification, Preface provides a transition. It’s a pause, a moment of reflection that reminds you why you put the phone down, featuring a minimalist design and handpicked quotes from history’s greatest thinkers. How it Works (Simple 1-Minute Setup): Preface utilizes the power of iOS Shortcuts & Automations to give you full control over your focus. Choose Your Distractions: Identify the apps that pull you away from your goals. Set the Automation: Use our simple, step-by-step guide to link your target apps to Preface via the Shortcuts app. The Redirection: Every time you instinctively tap a distracting app, Preface will automatically open first, presenting you with a beautiful quote and a chance to breathe. Key Features: Intentional Friction: We replace a mindless habit (scrolling) with a conscious choice (reflecting). Privacy First: Because you use native iOS Automations, Preface never needs to track your "Screen Time" data or monitor your browsing history. Curated Wisdom: A library of deep, inspiring quotes to help you reset your mindset in seconds. Minimalist Aesthetics: A clean, distraction-free interface that respects your mental space.
App privacy
The developer, Ruben Zhou Yang, reported these privacy practices to Apple.
Data Linked to You
The following data, which may be collected and linked to your identity, may be used for the following purposes:
- Financial Info: Payment Info
Used for: App Functionality
Alternatives to PreFace: Screen Time Control
Looking for apps like PreFace: Screen Time Control? Here are 6 similar apps on the App Store. The highest rated is ateams (5.0/5), and all 6 are free to download.
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Awesome Habits: Habit Tracker
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| App | Rating | Price | Last updated | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PreFace: Screen Time Control | – | Free | April 3, 2026 | |
| ateams | 5.0 / 5 (3) | Free | Oct 25, 2026 | Compare |
| Free Time: App Blocker & Focus | 4.8 / 5 (23) | Free | Jul 31, 2026 | Compare |
| Mindrobe: Daily Planner, Focus | 5.0 / 5 (4) | Free | Sep 17, 2026 | Compare |
| Timestamper: Activity Tracker | 4.1 / 5 (171) | Free | Mar 16, 2026 | Compare |
| Office Puzzle | 3.5 / 5 (13) | Free | Sep 29, 2026 | Compare |
| Awesome Habits: Habit Tracker | 4.8 / 5 (943) | Free | Oct 23, 2026 | Compare |